Support for the AUF Increased Across All Jurisdictions in 2015
Local congregations of The United
Methodist Church achieved a number of firsts in giving to the Africa
University Fund apportionment, (AUF),
in 2015. Investment in the work and
impact of Africa University increased
in all five of the denomination’s jurisdictions in North America.
A record number of annual conferences, 32 in total, invested 100
percent of their asking to the AUF.
Their generosity resulted in an overall investment of 93.65 percent or
$2,185,211.73 for 2015.
Three
conferences—Iowa
(116.54%), Eastern Pennsylvania
(110.65%), and South Carolina
(101.41%)—went beyond 100 percent.
“We are indeed grateful to the UMC
for its outstanding support for the
AUF,” said Dr. Munashe Furusa. The
university’s vice chancellor described
the church’s support for the AUF in

sity’s 24-year history, all ten
conferences that comprise the
Northeastern Jurisdiction of the
UMC achieved giving levels of
100 percent or higher for the
AUF.
The
Northeastern
Jurisdiction’s strong showing
for the AUF was helped by a
return to the 100 percent giving
level by Eastern Pennsylvania,
which closed a four-year gap
in giving, and Upper New York
where churches increased their
giving to the AUF by 41 perA record number of annual conferences, 32 in numcent between 2014 and 2015.
ber, invested100 percent of their asking to the Africa
The
Pacific
Northwest
University Fund (AUF) apportionment.
Conference achieved its first
2015 as “overwhelming” and a “clear 100 percent investment to the
testimony to the church’s commitment AUF in 2015, moving the Western
to transforming AU into a premier uni- Jurisdiction closer to the goal of 100
versity.”
percent across the board for the AUF.
For the first time in the univer-

Choir Visits COR and HPUMC

Former AU Dean in New
Role with GBHEM

A13-member
at Christ’s Foundry
chamber group of
UMC,
became
the Africa University
a great gatherChoir returned to the
ing of
friends
U.S. in January for
and supporters of
a visit to two of The
the university. It
United
Methodist
brought out Africa
Church’s largest conUniversity alumni
gregations, the United
as well as clergy
Methodist
Church
and lay leaders
of the Resurrection
from a number
(COR) and Highland
of North Texas
Former U.S. President George W. Bush and
Park United Methodist Mrs. Laura Bush with the AU Choir at HPUMC. Conference congreChurch (HPUMC).
gations.
The group, comThe
choir’s
prised of seven females and six males, packed schedule at Highland Park UMC
featured students from five African coun- included a Sunday worship service attendtries.
ed by former U.S. President George W.
The choir’s 12-day visit started on Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush.
January 28 in Leawood, Kansas, where
The choir’s music brought Africa
thousands turned out to enjoy music from to the forefront as the Rev. Paul
African praise traditions in five worship Rasmussen kicked off a special serservices at COR.
mon series, “Beyond 100”, which celThe choir’s first event in Dallas, Texas, ebrates Highland Park UMC’s past
a joint concert with the Children’s Choir and looks to its future.

T he
Rev.
Dr.
Beauty
Maenzanise has
joined the staff
of the General
Board of Higher
E d u c a t i o n
and
Ministry
( G B H E M ) ,
working
with
the
Clergy
Formation Team
Rev. Dr. Beauty
of the Division
Maenzanise
of
Ordained
Ministry.
The
focus of her work will be the support and development of theological education in Africa. Dr.
Maenzanise served as dean of
the Faculty of Theology at Africa
University for 10 years. In April
2005, she was one of two females
appointed to deanships for
the
first time in the institution’s history.